Adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome appear more likely to experience sleep bruxism, suggesting a potential bidirectional association
An umbrella review of eight systematic reviews found frequent coexistence of sleep bruxism and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in adults, possibly due to shared mechanisms like micro-arousals and autonomic activation. Only one review included a meta-analysis, and most reviews had low or critically low methodological quality. The evidence is heterogeneous and limited, with causality remaining unclear.
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Adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome appear more likely to experience sleep bruxism, suggesting a potential bidirectional association The current body of evidence comprises 1 study and 1 meta-analysis. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 47/100 (low).
The Claim
Adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome appear more likely to experience sleep bruxism, suggesting a potential bidirectional association
This conclusion is most relevant to: Adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and/or sleep bruxism.
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸Possible association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and sleep bruxism in adults: an umbrella review. (Sleep medicine, 2026) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Micro-arousals during sleep occur in OSAS
- ▸Micro-arousals trigger autonomic nervous system activation
- ▸Autonomic activation leads to rhythmic masticatory muscle activity
- ▸Result: Increased likelihood of sleep bruxism episodes in OSAS patients
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and/or sleep bruxism
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Most included systematic reviews had low or critically low methodological quality
- ▸Only three reviews had low risk of bias, and evidence was heterogeneous and limited
- ▸Causality remains unclear due to lack of well-designed randomized and longitudinal studies
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main finding of this umbrella review?▼
The review found that adults with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) appear more likely to experience sleep bruxism, suggesting a potential bidirectional association, though causality is not established.
How many systematic reviews were included in this umbrella review?▼
Eight systematic reviews were included, only one of which contained a meta-analysis.
What mechanisms might link OSAS and sleep bruxism?▼
Shared mechanisms such as micro-arousals and autonomic activation during sleep are proposed as possible links between the two conditions.
What are the limitations of the evidence in this review?▼
The evidence is heterogeneous and limited, with most reviews having low or critically low methodological quality, and only three reviews had low risk of bias.
References
- 1.Pereira KK, Pereira IF, Machado Júnior AJ. “Possible association between obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and sleep bruxism in adults: an umbrella review..” Sleep medicine, 2026. PMID: 42447651 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2026.109129